Doc and I finished our pie at the same time and we got up to leave.  Molly came over to give me a quick kiss on the cheek.  Since I had come back and seeing Mateo lying in the street she had shown her affection more in these little ways.  I certainly wasn’t complaining.  Doc was going up to see a couple of patients in the Mexican section and told me he would stop to check on Mateo.
    “Oh, Doc, before you leave.  Do you recollect anyone by the name of Blackstone living in Durango?” I asked.  He stopped, then rubbed his chin several times.
    “Blackstone, Blackstone?  Not an uncommon name, but I can’t recall someone living here by that name,” he answered.
    I was looking down toward the Durango Hotel wondering if Mrs. Blackstone had found any answers and how she was holding up both emotionally and financially.
    “Worried about the woman?” he inquired.
    “Yes, there’s somethin’ about this that’s just not right.  They were both sure that he would be there to meet them at the station,” I said.
    “Maybe Charlie will know, have you asked him yet?”
    Turning my attention to Doc, “No, I don’t think of it when I’ve seen him.  Think I’ll mosey down to the jail to see if he’s in.”
    Doc noticed that my eyes lifted to stare at three approaching riders.  One was Cecil Thompson along with one of his cowboys, Dakota Norris.  I didn’t know the other rider.  They saw me and rode to where I was standing.
    As they were dismounting, Tommy, one of the telegraph runners came up to me with a telegram from Gilford Coveny.  That gave me some concern as it had been Gibbons in charge of the bullion shipment.  Before I opened it I noticed Preacher Chapman hurrying my way and in the background was the hotel where Connor and his mother were staying.
    “See ya, Doc,” I said, turning to go back into the diner.
    Molly happened to see me, “Back so soon?” she inquired.
    I was shaking my head as I went to my table, grabbing a cup from the shelf on the way.  Thompson and his two hands came in as I was pouring hot coffee into the cup from the little stove.  “Molly, please give these men some coffee and anything else they want.”  I then pointed to three chairs.
    As they were sitting I wanted to show my concern, “How is Mr. Keim doin’?”
    “Fine,” he said gruffly, “what I want to know what you’re doing about that bounty hunter?” he paused turning as Molly sat coffee down in front of the three men, “thank you, ma’am.”
    Nodding at Norris, then turning my attention toward the unfamiliar man.  “Uh, this is Kyle Langston.  He is sorta taking the place of Conrad.”  He didn’t bother to reach out to shake my hand, just gave me a slight nod.
    “Sheriff Gold is back in town so I’ll be free to do some lookin’ around.  It’s been a while, but I want the man caught as much as you,” I stated.
    Thompson gave me a grim smile and nodded.  “Just keep me informed.”
    As the three men sipped their coffee, Rev. Chapman came through the door coming straight for me then stopped seeing who was with me at the table.  Motioning with his finger for me to come join him, I excused myself.
    “Parson, what can I do for you?” I asked.
    “Come outside,” he said whispering.
    Following him out, I stopped as the door shut behind us.  “Now, what is this all about?”
    “I heard something of the man you’re seeking,” he said, then stopped looking through the window where Thompson and his men were sitting.  “It may have been just talk, but I’ve heard he’s staying up in Silverton.”
    Looking at him, I inquired, “How reputable is the information?”
    He opened his hands while shrugging his shoulders.  “Just thought I should tell you.”
    Slapping him on the shoulder, “I’ll check on it.”  Then went back inside to talk some more with Thompson.
    “Was that the new preacher?” he asked turning in his chair.  “I’d like to meet him.  The ranch keeps me from getting in often to church.”
    I must have shown my surprise for he followed up, “What’s the matter, Forrest?  Don’t think I can have a relationship with God?  I may be rough and gruff, but I revere my Creator.”
    He got me there.  I dropped my head, then remembered the telegram.  It was wadded up in my left hand.  I opened it fearing the worse…

I had been to see Mateo everyday since I had arrived back home.  Since Charlie had been over in Telluride dealing with an incident I would stop to see Mateo on my daily and nightly rounds.  He was just now getting up and trying crutches.  Doc Jones told him that it would be a slow process healing and that he would never walk normal again.
    Luciana was holding up well and the two boys were helping out at home as they should be.  Ever since Mateo had become my deputy they had taken on more of the house chores, the chopping of wood and such, that Mateo normally would have done.  I had a talk with Judge Klaser about the city council firing Mateo after he was shot.  He said there wasn’t much that could be done, but he gave a wry smile.  
    The morning after I got back I stormed in to see Foster.  I jumped all over him and would have chewed on him good if Darnelle hadn’t been in the shop.  There were other customers and I wanted them to hear what I was saying.  It seemed that Foster just stuck his fingers in his ears and wouldn’t listen.  I told him I had a mind to resign leaving the town unprotected and wondered how Elizabeth would take it when the bums and thugs began to have their own way with the town.
    As I was leaving I heard Darnelle take over where I left off.  She did the chewing.  I heard her exclaim, “Uncle, how could you do such a thing to Mr. Ramirez?  Especially after he was shot trying to put an end to a gunfight!”  From there I took my rampage over to John Newsome.
    I wasn’t able to attend the Sunday service, but Molly told me that the new preacher, Rev. Chapman, preached on the Good Samaritan and how it was the responsibility of the people to help others when they are down and out, not to throw them in the dump.  She said that his eyes were on Foster and Newsome.  This past Monday I found out that a lawyer came to see Foster and said that he was going to enjoy the opportunity to bring the lawsuit against him on behalf of Mateo.  From what Darnelle told me later, Wilson’s eyes got wide and his cheeks bulged with anger but also fright.  Especially when he reminded Foster that there was an election coming up in a month.
    Doc was sitting with me in the diner having our usual morning coffee.  From what Marta understood, Charlie was to be back on Saturday.  That would free me up some to go looking for Upton Shaw.  I had a score to settle with him.
    “Let me go over this one more time,” I said referring to the gunfight.  “Keim and another cowpoke from the ranch were comin’ out of Solly’s store when Shaw fired from over in the park.”
    “I didn’t see it, but I heard the shots and ran out of my office,” stated Doc.  “I saw Keim holding his side and the cowhand by the name of MacLean holding his arm.  My attention went to Shaw who fired another shot hitting Keim, knocking him down.  That’s when Mateo came running from around the corner hollering for Shaw to drop his gun.”
    “Was that when Mateo was shot?”
    “You got it.  Upon hearing Mateo, he turned to fire at him, hitting him in the leg.  Mateo fell, but was able to get off a shot hitting Shaw who then limped off into the park,” Doc informed me.
    “No one went after Shaw?” I asked, finally taking a sip of my coffee.
    Doc shook his head, “Mateo was down, Charlie was out of town, and you were on a train somewhere.”
    “You know Shaw was hit?” I questioned.
    “There was no doubt about it, but I don’t know how bad.  Since he was limping my guess it was in the leg or thigh.”
    I had heard this from Doc before, some from Molly and Marta as they stepped out from the diner after the first shots were fired.  When they saw Mateo fall they rushed to his aid.  The story was pretty much the same from Mateo, although he didn’t see the first shots fired.  Solly confirmed most of what Doc said as did others I’d talked with.
    “Where do you think Shaw went?” I asked Doc who had just requested a piece of pie.
    “When I catch up with him, he’ll have plenty of charges against him, and a long time in prison to contemplate his actions,” I responded.
    “Remember, vengeance is the Lord’s,” uttered Doc, cutting a piece of pie with his fork.  I looked at it–apricot.
    “Don’t worry, I don’t want to kill him, and I won’t unless absolutely necessary.  He is used to doing things his own way, going his own way, having freedom to move around.  My thinkin’ is that prison would be the greater punishment,” I replied.  Then I hollered, “Molly, I’ll take a piece of that pie.”

It was late evening when the train pulled into the Durango station.  There was a problem with one of the cars and it had to be detached.  The problem was that there were few places along the way where the car could be taken off and left.  I didn’t figure there would be anyone at the station waiting for me since it hadn’t arrived on time.  
    I was wrong.  As I stepped off the train I saw Lucas sitting on a bench.  Upon seeing me he hopped up, waved at me, and ran off.  The diner would still be open, and that was the direction he was headed.  
    I was ready to leave the station platform when I noticed Mrs. Blackstone with her son, Connor, standing there amidst their luggage.  They were looking around as if they expected someone to be there to meet them so I went over to see if I could help.
    Doffing my hat I approached them, “Were you to be met?”
    Receiving a small smile, she replied, “Yes, my husband was supposed to meet us here.  I don’t see him anywhere.”
    Her voice carried with it some worry so I tried to console her.  “Well, the train was quite late comin’ in.  He’s probably around somewhere and will show up.”
    Since I had met her I had been racking my brain trying to recall a Blackstone.  I was almost sure there wasn’t one in Durango.  Perhaps he was in Silverton, Telluride, or one of the smaller camps.  Looking at their attire I didn’t think he’d be one of those poor down-and-out miners.  He was supposed to be a rancher, but perhaps he took to mining and fell down on his luck.
    By the time I was ready to head off, Molly had come up with Lucas.  She gave me a big hug.  “What took you so long?”
    After giving her a kiss I pointed to the engine, “Trouble with one of the cars.”
    “When the train didn’t show up on time, I started praying,” she said then hesitated pointing. “Who is the woman and boy?” she asked as she had seen me talking with her.
    Taking her by the arm we moved toward Mrs. Blackstone.  “Excuse me, ma’am.  I’d like for you to meet my wife.  Molly, this is Mrs. Blackstone and her son Connor.”
    Molly reached out her hand, “Glad to meet you,” then she pulled Lucas to her.  “And this is Lucas.”
    I saw the eyebrows of Mrs. Blackstone raise, “Is Lucas your son?”
    That brought a chuckle from Molly.  “Oh no, he’s the brother of my partner in the restaurant business.”  Then she pulled him close for a hug.  “But I’d sure claim him in a minute!”
    “Oh, uh, call me Jessie,” blurted Mrs. Blackstone, gaining her composure.  “My husband was supposed to meet me here, but I suppose since the train’s late that he’s off somewhere.”
    Molly gave me a questioning look, then turned her attention back to the woman.  “I imagine you’re starved.  Why don’t you come down to the diner and we’ll fix you up with a good meal.”  She looked over at Connor.  “Do you like pie?  Chocolate pie?”
    His eyes lit up and he turned his face to his mother.
    “Sure, come on.  Why, your husband might even be in the diner,” I said taking Molly by the hand and leading her away.  “Your luggage will be safe.”
    As we were walking toward the diner, I asked, “How’s Mateo?”
    “He’s doing all right,” she replied but without conviction.
    Stopping, I looked at her.  “Lucas, why don’t you take Connor and his mother on down to the diner?  We’ll be along shortly.”
    Looking Molly straight in the eye I asked again.  “How’s Mateo?”
    Tears filled her eyes.  “He was shot in the knee.  Doc had to do surgery to remove several bone chips.  He’ll be laid up for a while and will always have a limp.”
    “How’s Luciana and the boys takin’ it?”
    “They were scared, still are,” she paused, hesitating.
    “What?” I questioned.
    “The city council fired him!” she replied emphatically.  “They won’t pay for Doc’s services, nor pay Mateo while he is convalescing.  I’ll let Doc tell you more about it, but he was shot by that bounty hunter, Shaw.”
    Taking her hand, I didn’t say anything as we started walking again.  Just before stepping on the boardwalk in front of the diner I stopped her.  “Do you recall anyone by the name of Blackstone?”
    She looked at me, pursed her lips, shaking her head…

S